Horse races draw millions of spectators who are united in their love for these majestic animals and the thrill of a good race. Yet the sport, which has a long and storied history, continues to face controversy over the welfare of its star athletes. From better track conditions to advances in veterinary care, the industry has worked to improve animal welfare. Yet these improvements have done little to diminish the brutality of racing under current rules, with horses suffering from an array of injuries and deaths.
While a few of the top horses win races based on their talent alone, many winners are boosted by the use of illegal drugs. The industry is plagued with corruption and scandals involving drug abuse, race fixing, and betting irregularities. Moreover, the horses suffer from numerous ailments due to the harsh training methods and the confined, isolated lifestyle they are forced to lead. Many of them are euthanized after an injury or illness, or they end their careers in slaughterhouses, where they become glue and dog food.
As a result of these issues, the public is becoming increasingly aware of the abuse and neglect of racehorses. In the past, many fans simply brushed off criticism of the sport, but recently, more people have joined forces with animal rights activists to demand reform and even outright bans of horse racing. In addition to the cruelty of the sport, the isolation and confinement of the horses also leads to mental and emotional problems. Their unnatural training inhibits their natural instincts, leading to behaviors such as cribbing-biting on the gate in a desperate attempt to escape and break free-and self-harming behaviors like pacing and kicking.
While some racehorses have been rescued and given new lives in pastures, most of them find their way to the slaughterhouse after they lose their competitive edge or become injured. A recent study by Johanna Dunaway and Regina G. Lawrence, two University of Oregon professors, found that corporate-owned and large-chain newspapers are more likely to frame elections as a horse race than independent or small-chain papers. The authors of the study analyzed newspaper coverage in the weeks leading up to Election Day in 2004, 2006, and 2008. They found that stories portraying politics as a horse race were more prevalent when the races were close. They also cited the increasing popularity of social media as one reason for this trend.
